I have been taking depo for about two years now, and I am experiencing headaches, dizziness, nervousness, and a whole range of side effects. My doctor says this is normal and should go away after I discontinue use, my next shot would be in February which I am obviously not going to get, but I know it can stay in your system for quite a while after you miss a shot. So, my question is, has anyone been through this? If so, are there any special tricks to make the side effects better in the meantime. These side effects are for real giving me anxiety and I don't knwo how much longer I can take it.
Hi L.,
I would consider Acupuncture to manage your symptoms until your body balances hormonally. Acupuncture Health Care in New Paltz is great and they even have a low cost clinic for those who are low income. Also, for any long term hormonal issues I recommend women consult with someone who prescribes bioidentical hormones. Initially, your hormone baseline levels would be tested.
Hi L.,
My suggestion is to stop taking it and find an alternative. Our bodies have a way of telling us when things are not quite right or when we haven't quite found "the right match". I know it's easy and it's convenient but think about what you've gone through physically for the past 2 years. I also took it for a short time but I started gaining a lot of weight instead of all of the other symptoms you've been having. I decided it wasn't worth it and I stopped. It was the best decision I've ever made. Sounds like your hormones are out of sync.
I used Depo for a full year about 13 years ago. Side effects were bad, but it was not until after I took it I "devoloped" (weather or not I had before I will never know, but I never had symptoms before I went off the shot)Endometriosis. The older I got the more severe it was. I had surgery in 2002 for the disease, it came back. It took over a year to get pregnant. I also have the bladder disease IC, and I will always believe with all my heart depo had something to do with it.
What it does to your body is not natural. When your body does not shed monthly, even if it is a minor shed because you take the pill, your body still clears the uterus. I am sure there are 10 doctors to dispute each word I say, but I know what it did to me. It made me gain weight, acne, and as I stated above what I firmly believe it contributed to my diseases.
If you are having side effects to something, and you dont like it STOP USING IT!! a side effect is a negative reaction to your bodies intake of the drug. They are negative for a reason, your body WANTS YOU TO STOP, so listen to it. There are dozens of other birth control options on the market. When you see a method that keeps you from getting your period, or only a few times a month, think about what it is doing to your bodies natural cycle. We are designed to shed monthly unless conception happens. If we deprive our body of something it expects to do, nothing good can come of it.
In my younger years, I was cautioned by co-workers about the depo shot. And I, thankfully, never ended up getting it. So, I dont have any personal experiences to offer about it.
I would, however, like to share with you the positive experience I had with my IUD. I have a paraguard. Its has ZERO hormones, which was important to me, because I am careful about what I put into my body. And I was nursing, so I was careful about what I was putting into my daughters body as well.
Getting it put in was easy. And its good for TEN years. I LOVE it. And I have had no side effects from it.
I think you are making the right decision to stop the shots. Talk to your OB to see what they recommend.
Have you asked your doctor about IUD's? I have a two and a half year old son and have had the Maraina (sp?)IUD in for almost two years. It is good for five years, side effects are minimal, and it is more effective than sterilization! I was on the pill for many years and hated it. I am very happy with it and love the fact that I don't have to think about birth control until his fifth birthday!
hi L.-
i took depro for 6 months several years ago. i had the symtoms you described plus i was thrown into menopause-hot flashes, night sweats, the works. it was terrible. i had an operation before the depro and one after and i still wasn't 100% better. sometimes your dr. will give you estrogen pills in addition to the depro to help the side effects, but i found it didn't help nearly enough to make it worth while. i ended up switching dr.s (from a male to a female) and it made all the difference in the world. she stopped the depro and for the next 6 years i was treated, i never had to take it again or have another operation. my advice is 'get a second opinion' on the treatment for your condition. there are many ways of handling reproductive issues that don't involve that drug. it can be as simple as alternating between birth control pills and certain steroids. the side effects are minimal and if you want to get pregnant, there is less risk involved and less of a waiting period. good luck to you!
Are you sure these symptoms are from the depo...it seems to me that after 2 years symptoms don't just start out of the blue...has anything else changed?...I have been getting the depo for 10 years(at least) and never experienced these symptoms that I have been aware of....but if they,ve just begun you might want to take a look at other reasons...even something as simple as a diet change. Good Luck..maybe the trick is to think that the symptoms of an unexpected pregnancy would be worse:)
